The Test of a Man

by O. Lawrence Hawthorne

There's little satisfaction to be
gained from doing things
That hold no difficulties: it's the tough
old task that brings
Keen sense of worth and power to the
man who wins the fight;
His failures test his courage and his
problems prove his might:
Until a man has conquered loss and
overcome defeat,
He cannot fully understand just why
success is sweet

I'm thankful for my disappointments,
for the battles lost,
And for mistakes that seemed to
charge an overwhelming cost;
I'm thankful for the days of doubt
when it was hard to see
That all things work together for the
good that is to be;
I'm glad for all that Life has brought,
because today I know
That men must brave adversities if
they would greater grow.

Feliz Natal!